"Cottonwood"
’Twas August hot, no rain we got,
For weeks, man it was dry,
And come midday in shade you stay,
Or at least you’d try.
And haulin’ drink to the cows who think,
They’ve found their Texas hell,
Just stand and pant, the breeze is scant,
As those who know can tell.
But beauty still when shadows fill,
The corners of the day,
And the cottonwood, as if they should,
Share sounds that seem to say,
The winds blow sweet the night to greet,
When God sends all relief,
The rustling sound high off the ground,
Feeds my heart’s belief,
That on the wind I hear again,
The whisper of the Spirit,
The peace so deep is what I keep,
Each time He lets me hear it.
And summer’s lot although it’s hot,
Will all change soon enough,
When seasons turn and again we learn,
God’s grace complaints rebuff.
Easily and breezily,
The shadows grow just now,
The daylight fades and evening’s shades,
Replace it all somehow.
But the cottonwood with high boughs stood,
For seasons and long years,
To whisper long and join the song,
Of love that casts out fears.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14, NLT)
Of all the people on earth, God’s children are the ones led by His Spirit. When you stop to think about that it makes perfect sense. People who don’t know God are led by other things, and are oftentimes driven rather than led. Children of God are born of the Spirit, Jesus said, and He compared them to the wind blowing through the trees. He said that neither the origination or the destination of the wind are obvious. We see its effect but cannot fully grasp its mystery. Being led by the Spirit is like that. We receive new life from God, our lives are led by Him, and He is our ultimate destination. But the full mystery can never be grasped. It’s all just part of how God calls us and energizes us to live by faith. The adventure is ours to experience. Be led.
Lord, lead us by Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
Art by Kenneth Wyatt, cowhorsegallery.com, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.